After more than two years of strained diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to travel to India in the upcoming weeks as both nations seek to expand trade partnerships in light of the trade dispute initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, disclosed to CBC’s Power & Politics host David Cochrane that the visit is scheduled post India’s budget presentation on February 1. Patnaik emphasized that the rekindled diplomatic relations signify a restoration of trust in the system, with diplomats endeavoring to make up for lost time during the period of strained relations.
The rift originated when former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implied that Indian operatives were implicated in the extrajudicial killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian territory in 2023. Furthermore, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accused Indian government agents of being connected to homicides, extortion, and threats in Canada. These allegations led to a significant chill in Canada-India relations, only starting to thaw in recent times.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has vehemently denied any involvement in ordering extrajudicial killings in Canada, labeling the accusations as baseless and unfounded. Patnaik clarified that four Indian nationals residing in Canada for several years have been charged with Nijjar’s murder, stressing that there is no case against the Indian government, and the accusations were made by a former prime minister.
The upcoming visit by Carney follows a joint commitment made by both leaders to initiate negotiations for a new trade pact known as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), announced during their meeting at the G20 Summit in South Africa last November. Both countries are grappling with hefty U.S. tariffs, with India facing a 50% tariff rate, partly due to its purchase of Russian oil.
Patnaik expressed optimism for advancements in crucial sectors such as energy, fertilizers, agriculture, innovation, research and development, aerospace, and defense, aiming to push the boundaries for both Canada and India. While asked about the possibility of signing a trade deal by year-end, Patnaik suggested that significant progress in these areas and nearing a deal would be a substantial achievement.
Carney’s visit will follow other diplomatic visits to India by various Canadian ministers, including Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon, scheduled for later this month, and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, who visited India late last year. These missions highlight the ongoing efforts to improve relations under Carney’s leadership amid the backdrop of Trump’s trade tariffs. Carney is also slated to embark on a significant trade mission to China on Tuesday following years of strained diplomatic ties with that nation.